You know who he is. You remember his size. His height. His goofy smile. His pasty (to say it mildly) skin color. His permanent crew-cut.
In a sense, Greg Ostertag was the Utah Jazz: goofy, annoying, not athletic, and.... well, white.
A Utah Jazz? But, we hate the Jazz. True, but we love Greg Ostertag.
Why? The answer is complex.
It's not because he has his own fan page on Facebook.
It's not because he has his own fan page on YouTube.
It's not because he can('t) dance (see prior blog post).
It's not because he has been on a magazine cover (sort of).
It's not even because he let Shaq slap the shit out of him.
It's not even because he let Shaq slap the shit out of him.
Greg, we love you.
We know.... You were, in essence, the greatest 6th man the Lakers ever had.
No video can fully do justice, but..
...no other Laker player in history has had been responsible for a greater possession:
What, at first, looks like a shared rebound with a half-foot shorter teammate, turns out to be:
-A steal for Derek Fisher
-An uncontested hook shot by Shaq
-A rebound by Rick Fox (despite your 8-inch taller stature: this is like Shahe outrebounding me)
-And, last but certainly not least -- your specialty -- getting absolutely POSTARIZED (Bully-style) by Shaq.
Thank you, Greg.
We'll always remember you as the catalyst to the Laker highlights that you have always been.
Consistent.
Dependable.
Postarizable.
Always.
You may not see it, but there is a double-zero Utah Jazz jersey hanging at Staples. And, just like you with a white coat on... it's camouflaged.
Three other observations from that clip:
ReplyDelete1) Rick Fox with NO HAIR!
2) Derek Fisher WITH hair!
3) NVE on the bench with the towel! (For more NVE towel tricks, see blog post dated 5/23/11)